NacogdochesOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Caddo Settlement to Spanish Outpost

Nacogdoches has a history dating back approximately 10,000 years with early Paleolithic settlements. Around 700 B.C., a Caddoan site developed between the LaNana and Banita Creeks, later known as Washington Square. The Nacogdoche tribe, a Caddo group, established a village with structural mounds and mortuary mounds between 1250 and 1450 A.D., supported by maize agriculture and trade.

The Spanish arrived in the area in 1542 with DeSoto. Formal European presence began in 1716 when Spain established Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches. This mission was part of Spain's efforts to secure its claim to Texas against French expansion. In 1779, Don Antonio Gil Y'Barbo officially reestablished the community of Nacogdoches, laying out its modern streets and writing its first law code. The town remained a Spanish and Mexican colonial outpost and the capital of East Texas until the Texas Revolution.

A Center for Texas Independence

Nacogdoches played a role in the Texas Revolution. In 1832, citizens, both Mexican and Anglo, clashed with the Mexican garrison in the Battle of Nacogdoches, considered an opening skirmish of the revolution. Local resident Adolphus Sterne aided the revolutionaries in outflanking the Mexican forces through the Washington Square area. Texas became a republic in 1836, and in 1845, it joined the United States as the 28th state. The city was incorporated in 1837 and grew as a trade gateway, particularly with New Orleans. The arrival of the Houston East and West Texas Railroad in 1882 shifted the local economy from agriculture to trade and commerce. In 1923, Stephen F. Austin Teachers College, now Stephen F. Austin State University, opened, becoming a draw for new residents and cultural activities.

• —Old Stone Fort Museum — This replica, built in 1936 with original stones, stands on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus. It interprets artifacts from the Spanish and Mexican periods (1690-1836) and tells the story of the original stone house built by Antonio Gil Y'Barbo, which served as a trading post, home, church, jail, and saloon.
• —Adolphus Sterne House — Built around 1830, this is the oldest frame house in Nacogdoches on its original site. It was home to Adolphus Sterne, a merchant and financier of the Texas Revolution, and hosted figures like Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. The house contains period antiques, family heirlooms, and one of Texas's earliest wine cellars.
• —Durst-Taylor Historic House and Gardens — Constructed around 1835, this wood-frame house is the second oldest building in Nacogdoches on its original site. It provides a look into life in the 1840s, featuring a functioning smokehouse, blacksmith shop, chicken coop, and heirloom gardens.
• —Old University Building — Completed in 1859, this Greek Revival building is the only original structure of a university chartered by the Republic of Texas still standing. It served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War and a Federal headquarters during Reconstruction.
• —Oak Grove Cemetery — This historic cemetery is the final resting place for four signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
• —Washington Square — This area, originally 21.5 acres, was donated in 1845 for Nacogdoches University. It became the site of the Old University Building in 1858 and has hosted various educational institutions and served as a Confederate hospital.
• —Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden — On the Stephen F. Austin State University campus, this is Texas's largest azalea garden, with 1.25 miles of accessible trails and hundreds of varieties of blooms, especially in spring.

The best times to visit Nacogdoches for outdoor activities are from mid-April to mid-June and from early September to late October, when temperatures are pleasant. Spring, particularly March through May, is suitable as the city's azaleas, dogwoods, and wisteria bloom. Fall, especially October and November, offers drier weather with fewer rainy days, suitable for walking tours and sightseeing.

Avoid the summer months, particularly July and August, when heat can reach daytime highs of 93-95°F (34-35°C), and humidity is high. Winters are mild, with average temperatures around 50-54°F (10-12°C) in January, but daily temperature fluctuations occur, so bring layers.

Nacogdoches does not have its own airport. The closest regional airport is Longview East Texas Regional (GGG), about 54 miles away. Houston's airport is approximately 134 miles from Nacogdoches, requiring a rental car.

The historic downtown area is walkable, with brick-lined streets and attractions close to each other. For exploring beyond downtown, a car is recommended. Parking is generally available downtown. Nacogdoches does not have a public transportation system useful for tourists.

Hotel prices are generally lower on Mondays, with Saturdays being the most expensive. Many historical sites, like the Durst-Taylor Historic House and the Sterne-Hoya House Museum, offer free admission; donations are accepted.